KANSAS CITY, MO (2006-06-28) Two rural Missouri legislators are trying to head off the $50 million in state tax credits designed to subsidize stadium improvements at Kauffman and Arrowhead. Senator Frank Barnitz and Representative Wes Shoemeyer accuse Governor Blunt and his faithful circumventing the legislature, sending the plan direct to the Missouri Development Finance Board.

Senator Barnitz:The voters have said time and time again through the legislature that they did not sports stadiums receiving financial aid.

Governor's spokesman Spence Jackson says it wasn't a Blunt conspiracy and the two Democrats are off base.

Jackson:He supports it but it isn't something that he put forward or tried to circumvent the legislature in any way. it's unfortunate that Senator Barnitz and Representative Shoemeyer seem to be on the side of having the Royals play in Overland Park and having the Chiefs play in Los Angeles or someplace.

Barnitz and Shoemeyer are urging voters who object to the tax abatement to phone or e-mail Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, who is on the decision-making board. Jackson says the calls won't make any difference because the tax break is a good investment for Missouri.

beautyfromashes wrote:This thread is now worse than the Downtown Stadium/ Save our Stadiums thread. It makes me want to shoot myself in the head everytime I see it turn red. Congratulations ATKC, you now = kcdcchef.

beautyfromashes wrote:This thread is now worse than the Downtown Stadium/ Save our Stadiums thread. It makes me want to shoot myself in the head everytime I see it turn red. Congratulations ATKC, you now = kcdcchef.

If the KC and STL delegations got along better they could easily join forces for a better urban agenda in the Capitol. Add Springfield for an even bigger majority, as that city is rapidly growing and needing more urban services.

STATEâ€™S PART IN PLAN | Missouri board approves $50 million for renovations

Stadium tax credits get OK

Some rural lawmakers are unhappy with plan, saying the state could use money more wisely.

By TIM HOOVERThe Starâ€™s Jefferson City correspondent

JEFFERSON CITY â€” State officials on Thursday approved $50 million in tax credits for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to help fund renovations at Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums.

The unanimous vote by the Missouri Development Finance Board represents the stateâ€™s part of the plan to renovate the stadiums and allows the $575 million project to move forward. Nonetheless, a state lawmaker and an economist spoke against giving the tax credits to the teams, while board members leaned on the Royals to give out more free tickets.

Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields told board members that Jackson County voters were told â€œthere was a commitment from the state of Missouri to see these teams remain in the state.â€

beautyfromashes wrote:This thread is now worse than the Downtown Stadium/ Save our Stadiums thread. It makes me want to shoot myself in the head everytime I see it turn red. Congratulations ATKC, you now = kcdcchef.

[quote]The harshest words came from Tom Kruckemeyer, chief economist for the Missouri Budget Project and a former chief economist for the state. Kruckemeyer pointed out that the Chiefs are third in the NFL for home game attendance and average $26 million in pretax profits.

â€œI think weâ€™d all be hard-pressed to find a business that less needs a public subsidy,â€